William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet How is romeo prevented from fulfilling those desires is a timeless tragedy that explores the themes of love, desire, conflict, and fate. Central to the play is the character of Romeo Montague, whose deep desires—primarily love and emotional fulfillment—are consistently thwarted by external forces and internal struggles. Despite his earnest pursuit of happiness and a life with Juliet, Romeo’s desires are obstructed by societal structures, family conflict, and his own impetuous nature.
This article explores how Romeo is prevented from fulfilling his desires, delving into the barriers posed by societal norms, familial feuds, fate, and Romeo’s tragic flaws.
Romeo’s Desires: Love and Emotional Fulfillment
From the opening scenes of the play, it is evident that Romeo is driven by his intense longing for love. Initially infatuated with Rosaline, Romeo quickly shifts his affection to Juliet after meeting her at the Capulet feast. His immediate and passionate love for Juliet becomes his defining desire, overshadowing all else. Romeo dreams of a life where he and Juliet can be together, free from societal and familial constraints. However, numerous obstacles arise that prevent him from attaining this ideal.
1. The Feud Between the Montagues and Capulets
The centuries-long feud between Romeo’s family, the Montagues, and Juliet’s family, the Capulets, forms the most significant external barrier to Romeo’s desires. This conflict sets the stage for the tragedy, as it makes Romeo and Juliet’s love forbidden and dangerous.
- Societal Expectations:
Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is condemned because of their families’ enmity. This feud forces their love into secrecy, limiting their opportunities to be together. For instance, after the Capulet feast, Romeo risks his life sneaking into Juliet’s orchard to declare his love, knowing he would face dire consequences if discovered. - Confrontation and Violence:
The hostility between the Montagues and Capulets escalates throughout the play, with confrontations that derail Romeo’s plans. Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, embodies this aggression. When Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, Romeo’s refusal to fight leads to Mercutio’s death, further entangling him in the feud and ultimately resulting in Tybalt’s own death at Romeo’s hands. This act of violence intensifies the animosity between the families, making Romeo’s desire for peace and love even more unattainable.
2. Fate and Cosmic Forces
Shakespeare intertwines the theme of fate throughout the play, presenting it as an insurmountable force that prevents Romeo from fulfilling his desires. The concept of “star-crossed lovers,” introduced in the prologue, foreshadows the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. Romeo himself frequently references fate, indicating his awareness of its influence.
- Premonitions and Omens:
Romeo experiences premonitions that hint at his doomed fate. Before attending the Capulet feast where he meets Juliet, Romeo expresses unease:
“I fear too early, for my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars.”
This sense of impending doom suggests that his desires are thwarted by forces beyond his control. - Circumstantial Tragedies:
Fate also manifests in the unfortunate timing and miscommunication that plague Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. For instance, the delay of Friar Lawrence’s letter explaining Juliet’s fake death leads Romeo to believe she has truly died. This misunderstanding culminates in Romeo’s own tragic decision to take his life, preventing him from realizing his desire to live with Juliet.
3. Societal Norms and Constraints
The rigid societal structures of Verona further hinder Romeo’s pursuit of happiness. As a young nobleman, Romeo’s life is dictated by the expectations of his family and community.
- Gender Roles:
Romeo’s emotional sensitivity contrasts with the expectations of masculinity in his society. His open expressions of love and sorrow are often met with criticism or ridicule, as seen in Mercutio’s mockery of Romeo’s romantic nature. This societal pressure complicates Romeo’s ability to freely pursue his desires, as he must navigate a world that values aggression and pride over vulnerability and love. - The Role of Authority Figures:
Authority figures in the play, such as Prince Escalus, Friar Lawrence, and the heads of the Montague and Capulet families, fail to provide the guidance or support Romeo needs. For example, Prince Escalus’s decree of exile for Romeo following Tybalt’s death forces him to leave Verona, physically separating him from Juliet. This exile becomes a significant barrier to their union and intensifies the sense of hopelessness in Romeo’s pursuit of happiness.
4. Romeo’s Own Impetuous Nature
While external forces play a major role in preventing Romeo from fulfilling his desires, his own personality traits and decisions also contribute to his downfall. Romeo’s impulsiveness and tendency to act without considering the consequences frequently lead to tragic outcomes.
- Impulsive Decisions in Love:
Romeo’s rapid transition from Rosaline to Juliet demonstrates his impulsive nature. While his love for Juliet is genuine, the haste with which he pursues their relationship—proposing marriage only hours after meeting her—sets the stage for complications. His impatience is also evident in his decision to defy Juliet’s initial hesitation about their sudden vows of love. - Reckless Actions in Conflict:
Romeo’s impetuous behavior extends to his actions in moments of conflict. His decision to avenge Mercutio’s death by killing Tybalt, despite knowing the potential consequences, is driven by emotion rather than reason. This act not only leads to his exile but also deepens the divide between the Montagues and Capulets, making his desire for unity and peace even more unattainable. - Despair and Fatalism:
In the final act, Romeo’s despair leads him to make the ultimate impulsive decision: taking his own life. Believing Juliet to be dead, he acts without seeking further information, sealing his tragic fate and permanently preventing him from fulfilling his desire for a life with Juliet.
5. Miscommunication and Secrecy
Throughout the play, the secrecy surrounding Romeo and Juliet’s relationship leads to misunderstandings and missed opportunities that prevent Romeo from achieving his desires.
- The Secret Marriage:
Romeo and Juliet’s decision to marry in secret, facilitated by Friar Lawrence, is a direct result of the societal and familial pressures they face. While intended to unite their families, the secrecy of their union only exacerbates the challenges they encounter. - The Failed Plan:
Friar Lawrence’s plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet through Juliet’s feigned death is hindered by poor communication. Romeo’s failure to receive the friar’s letter explaining the plan causes him to misinterpret Juliet’s condition, leading to the tragic conclusion.
The Tragic Outcome
Ultimately, Romeo’s desires are thwarted by a combination of external forces and personal flaws. The societal feud, the constraints of fate, and his own impulsive decisions converge to create a series of insurmountable obstacles. Despite his unwavering love and determination, Romeo is unable to overcome these barriers, resulting in the tragic deaths of both himself and Juliet.
Conclusion
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare masterfully illustrates the complexity of human desires and the obstacles that often prevent their fulfillment. Romeo’s passionate pursuit of love and happiness is a universal theme, resonating with audiences across centuries. However, his journey also serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of unchecked emotion, the destructive power of societal conflict, and the inevitability of fate.
By examining the forces that prevent Romeo from fulfilling his desires, we gain deeper insight into the play’s enduring relevance and the timeless struggle between human ambition and the barriers that stand in its way.
